The Los Angeles Angels are hoping for a powerful comeback, but is it a realistic dream?
After yet another disappointing season, finishing last in the AL West with a 72-90 record, the Angels are relying on their young talents to turn things around. However, is this a strategy bound to succeed or a fool's hope?
One player in the spotlight is Nolan Schanuel, the Angels' 2023 first-round pick. Despite his young age, he has already spent two full seasons in the big leagues, showing promise with a strong eye for the plate and impressive walk-to-strikeout ratio. But here's the catch: his power numbers, especially for a first baseman, have been underwhelming.
Schanuel's career-high slugging percentage of .389 in 2025 is a cause for concern. He's aware of this and has been working on increasing his bat speed to add more power to his swing. And this is where it gets interesting: the Steamer projection system predicts a significant power boost for Schanuel in 2026, with a .269 batting average and a career-best 16 homers in just 121 games.
But is this projection too good to be true? Steamer bases its predictions on trends, and Schanuel's recent injury history might be a factor. A wrist injury in August 2025 affected his performance, but upon his return, he showed glimpses of power with two homers and a double in just seven games.
So, the question remains: can Schanuel consistently deliver the power the Angels need? He doesn't have to be a home run king, but a reliable source of extra-base hits. With his solid launch angle and potential for harder contact, it's not an impossible task.
And this is the part most fans are curious about: Will the projection come true, or is it just wishful thinking? The Angels' fate might just hang in the balance of this young player's development. What do you think? Is Schanuel the key to the Angels' success, or should they be looking elsewhere for a power boost?
